New Delhi: Veteran Tamil actor Junior Balaiah passed away on Thursday at his residence in Chennai. The actor, who was the son of iconic actor TS Balaiah, reportedly died due to a heart attack.
Balaiah’s younger brother Jai Balaiah Ganesh, spoke to the media and gave the news about the actor’s death. “You all know him. He has acted in many films… he was even part of Ajith Kumar’s recent film (Nerkonda Paarvai). He wasn’t well for a while now and has been taking rest. Unfortunately, he fell at home and suffered a heart attack instantly and passed away,” Indian Express quoted him as saying.
Junior Balaiah made his acting debut with Melnaattu Marumagal (1975). He has been part of many films including Karagattakaran, Thani Oruvan, Avatharam, Gopura Vasalile, Saattai, Winner, Kumki. He acted opposite Sivajiganesan in ‘Tyagam’ and as one of Kamal Haasan's friends in ‘Havbe Mayam’.
In 2019, he was seen in Ajith Kumar's 'Nerkonda Paarvai', which is the official Tamil remake of 'Pink'. Released in 2021, his last film was 'Yennanga Sir Unga Sattam.'
Balaih has also worked in television and was also part of many Tamil TV serials like Radhika Sarathkumar’s Chithi and Bhanu Priya’s Vazhkai. He was last seen in the film Yennanga Sir Unga Sattam (2021).
The South Indian Artistes Association also condoled the death of the senior actor.
Kamal Haasan took to his X to pay tribute to his friend Balaiah. His tweet in Tamil is loosely translated as: "Junior Balaiah, son of legendary actor T.S. Balaiah, became my teenage friend. Just like his father, who started his career in theatre and flourished, he passed away today. My tribute to him. My heartfelt condolences to his family members.”
The last rites of Balaiah will be performed in Chennai on Friday.